FDTS vs. UGA
FDTS (First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund) and UGA (United States Gasoline Fund LP) are both exchange-traded funds - FDTS is a Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ AlphaDEX DM Ex-US Small Cap Index, while UGA is a Oil & Gas fund tracking the Front Month Unleaded Gasoline. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FDTS returned 10.51%/yr vs 14.31%/yr for UGA. At a 0.17 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FDTS charges 0.80%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for UGA.
Performance
FDTS vs. UGA - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FDTS achieves a 12.44% return, which is significantly lower than UGA's 64.09% return. Over the past 10 years, FDTS has underperformed UGA with an annualized return of 10.51%, while UGA has yielded a comparatively higher 14.31% annualized return.
FDTS
- 1D
- -3.77%
- 1M
- -6.39%
- YTD
- 12.44%
- 6M
- 12.40%
- 1Y
- 36.22%
- 3Y*
- 23.84%
- 5Y*
- 9.93%
- 10Y*
- 10.51%
UGA
- 1D
- -1.12%
- 1M
- -12.11%
- YTD
- 64.09%
- 6M
- 60.42%
- 1Y
- 59.74%
- 3Y*
- 18.95%
- 5Y*
- 22.69%
- 10Y*
- 14.31%
FDTS vs. UGA - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FDTS First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund | 12.44% | 51.17% | 2.44% | 10.96% | -15.34% | 11.79% | 12.90% | 18.71% | -23.71% | 36.01% |
UGA United States Gasoline Fund LP | 64.09% | -2.00% | 3.77% | 1.27% | 46.34% | 68.49% | -24.88% | 41.25% | -28.07% | 1.69% |
Correlation
The correlation between FDTS and UGA is -0.20, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.20 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.01 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.13 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.17 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 16, 2012 | 0.17 |
The correlation between FDTS and UGA shifts across timeframes, from -0.20 (1 year) to 0.17 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
FDTS vs. UGA — Risk / Return Rank
FDTS
UGA
FDTS vs. UGA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund (FDTS) and United States Gasoline Fund LP (UGA). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| FDTS | UGA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.22 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.37 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.35 | 1.30 | +0.05 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.89 | 3.17 | -0.28 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.60 | 9.39 | +0.21 |
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Drawdowns
FDTS vs. UGA - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FDTS drawdown since its inception was -51.26%, smaller than the maximum UGA drawdown of -86.59%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FDTS and UGA.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FDTS | UGA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -51.26% | -86.59% | +35.33% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -12.61% | -18.96% | +6.35% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -13.19% | -26.68% | +13.49% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -33.11% | -38.11% | +5.00% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -51.26% | -75.89% | +24.63% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -9.86% | -18.05% | +8.19% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -10.64% | -36.69% | +26.05% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.78% | 6.43% | -2.65% |
Volatility
FDTS vs. UGA - Volatility Comparison
First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund (FDTS) and United States Gasoline Fund LP (UGA) have volatilities of 9.16% and 9.24%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| FDTS | UGA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 9.16% | 9.24% | -0.08% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 16.13% | 30.57% | -14.44% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 18.63% | 35.22% | -16.59% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 29.47% | 34.45% | -4.98% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 24.85% | 37.22% | -12.37% |
FDTS vs. UGA - Expense Ratio Comparison
FDTS has a 0.80% expense ratio, which is higher than UGA's 0.75% expense ratio.
Dividends
FDTS vs. UGA - Dividend Comparison
FDTS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.67%, while UGA has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FDTS First Trust Developed Markets ex-US Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund | 2.67% | 2.94% | 3.94% | 2.90% | 3.71% | 3.01% | 2.02% | 2.30% | 1.96% | 2.08% | 1.78% | 1.73% |
UGA United States Gasoline Fund LP | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
FDTS and UGA have a correlation of -0.20, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
UGA has higher volatility (9.24%) compared to FDTS (9.16%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FDTS dropped -51.26% vs UGA's -86.59%.
On 10-year performance, UGA leads with 14.31% vs 10.51% for FDTS. On fees, UGA is cheaper at 0.75% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, UGA has performed better with a 14.31% return vs 10.51%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
UGA is cheaper with a 0.75% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for FDTS.
FDTS has the higher dividend yield at 2.67%, compared with 0.00% for UGA.
FDTS is categorized as Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities, while UGA is Oil & Gas. FDTS tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX DM Ex-US Small Cap Index, while UGA tracks Front Month Unleaded Gasoline. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Concierge Technologies. Their fees differ too: 0.80% for FDTS and 0.75% for UGA.
FDTS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.95 vs 1.73), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.
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